Johnnie Be Good: The Movie

Johnnie Johnson, 2001 Inductee Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Editing is 98% complete for rock documentary JOHNNIE BE GOOD, a feature length film about Rock and Roll Hall of Fame pianist Johnnie Johnson. JOHNNIE BE GOOD examines the musical relationship between two rock and roll architects, Johnnie Johnson and the guitarist he hired in 1952, Chuck Berry.

Chuck Leavell, keyboardist for the Rolling Stones appears in the film and this is what he said about JOHNNIE BE GOOD after watching a recent edit: “…congrats on the piece…just awesome and a fab job. I think you have been very fair in the ‘controversy’ of Johnnie/Chuck Berry….and I think that is really important. While there is obviously some thought that Johnnie should have received some royalties for his contributions, it is important to have that balance of pointing out the incredible influence and genius of Chuck. I just wanted to give you my initial thoughts and accolades for doing such a fantastic job.”

In 2005 when Johnnie Johnson died, David Fricke of Rolling Stone Magazine wrote that Johnson “…went on to become the greastest sideman in rock and roll, at the very moment the music was being born.”

Should Johnson also be recognize as a partner in one of rock and roll’s great song-writing teams? Not even a lawsuit settled the debate.

The licensing process is underway for copyrighted material including music recordings and film clips. George Thorogood has agreed to do an interview in March. If you’d like to financially support JOHNNIE BE GOOD, buy a song! Online sales of “Johnny B. Goode” with featured performances by Michael McDonald, David Sanborn, and the late Johnnie Johnson continue on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, and many other music download sites.